Tackling my Debt and Simplifying My Life

brizzledfw

GL..how did the house viewing go?

Ladybird.

Hi GL :wave: Just catching up, been a manic week here!

Hope the viewing went well, fingers crossed!

Before we moved I put all our non-ebayable clothes into bin liners and sold them to a recycling place for something like £5 a kilo or something like that. Would normally charity shop them so felt a bit bad but I got about £15 which went on a CC We still have too many though!

Julie67

Morning all,

GL how did the viewing go?

Plan to visit the local charity shops this morning, I need some shoes for my sons wedding and after looking at the prices yesterday I am hoping to find something much cheaper. Even though we are going away the mounting debt is always at the back of mind and I can't wait to begin tackling it.
Also need to have a good clean through and buy a few fresh food bits. I am trying to use up everything in the fridge and freezer as its only 12 days until we go:eek:
Planning a run later, have a good day all x

[Deleted User]

Hi there guys,
Thanks so much for your posts- its really keeping me motivated.

Hope you got some bargains at the CS Julie67, only 12 days- bet you cant wait!! Could you fit me in your suitcase??

The library is fab pinksky- hope you get benefit from it.

Was just thinking how pinksky wrote about buying boxsets on i-tunes to watch during her commute, and how expensive it got. Technology really is a wonderful thing and how great, that in our busy lives, the time it takes to commute can be utilized and enjoyed by watching a box-set- but it also goes to show the price of this wonderful technology- its expensive!!!

I have an i-phone and love it. Never thought of buying box-sets and watching them previously (thank goodness- or the debt would be even worse!!). I often feel living a simpler life in these times is an huge contradiction- think it would be easier if we lived in a rural area in the middle of nowhere with no children etc.

My challenge is to live a simpler life in a town where everyone in my peer/work group has all the latest gadgets, posh cars, big houses etc. We have made a good start in the last couple of months, selling the posh car for a cheap runaround, trying to sell the detached house to move to a small terraced property and waiting for our i-phone contracts to run-out.

DH and I havent found it difficult to do these things, in fact its been liberating, my worry is DS. I know it means I am still scumming to advertising etc but I find it difficult to say he cant have the designer hoodie he's asked for Christmas (he's only just becoming interested in such things). Do I want him to feel left out and different from his peers? Do I just buy a few of these items? Its a difficult one. He's not a greedy kid and doesnt often ask for things- would love to hear how everyone else copes with these things.

The feedback from our viewing on Weds was that they liked the house but it wasnt for them- nevermind, maybe the next viewing .....
GLx

Fae

Hi GL,

Not having children, I'm not able to help with how to cope with things for your son, I'm sure there are other who will be along who will be able to share their thoughts.

Sorry to hear the viewing didn't progress any further, fingers crossed for next time.

Fae

[Deleted User]

Thanks Fae, I know things happen for a reason so the house will sell when the time is right.

I have spent the last couple of hours reading Frugal Queens blog, its addictive! I am only up to Feb 2010 but am so inspired!!

The eBay is doing quite well, due to end this evening- total sales already at more than I'd anticipated so fingers crossed.

Taking DS to cinema today to see a Christmas film- will be as MSE as poss, take own snacks and drinks etc. Want to treat him for his good report at parents evening earlier this week.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday.
GLx

Julie67

Morning all,

Managed to get a bargain from the charity shop. Not the shoes I was looking for but my 16 yr old DS has been mithering for a leather jacket at £60 I had said no but got something very similar like new for £5.99. Soon as we return he will be looking for a job to fit around 6th form. He loves going to watch live music but he is going to have to start funding this himself.
My oldest 3 have left home but my dd is a bit of a charity shop addict as well.
Today will be pottering and writing Christmas cards, also need to catch up with Strictly.
Have a good day all x

Emmala

Morning GL! I have been reading but not posting - much easier to read on my phone than to post, but I have the laptop on this morning so thought I'd say hello again!!!!

I think you're right about the house - what will be will be. And I understand your concerns about your son and the effect that simplifying will/may have on him. I agree that it can be tricky with kids....we have 3, my eldest is nearly 10......our view is that as long as they live with us they will have to like things or lump them, for example we both feel very strongly that children should not have TVs and gaming stuff in their bedrooms, end of. But, of course some of their friends have these things, so it's so'unfair'.........I think as long as you and your DH are singing from the same hymn sheet it will be fine. So if he wants 'designer' stuff? Ok, he can have it for birthday/xmas and in the meantime saves his money to buy it himself, that way he doesn't go without, but doesn't expect something new every month say. It is a fine line between not giving in and letting them have what they want, and going to the other extreme and making them the weirdo who doesn't fit in (which is important). So, if I were you, have a chat with your DH and then stick to the limits that you are both comfortable with. I hope that doesn't sound preachy, I totally get you on this, we're the same!! My eldest DS had to buy his own ipod, for instance, and we are standing firm on not having a PS3.....he's not happy, but we don't need one, we have a wii, and he will enjoy playing it all the more at his friends houses!!!
Ebay - I sold a load of stuff this week....couldn't believe how much the postage was though!! I have taken the cost of it back out of my paypal account though, as I paid from my household account, and with the end of the month looming, every penny counts!!!!
My inlaws have invited themselves for a very long weekend this week coming......groan....but at least they stay in a hotel which gives us a bit of a break! I have some money held back for food while they are here, and have told DH that apart from the four of us going for a pub lunch next Mon for his Dad's birthday treat, we are cooking the rest of the time not going out for meals (which they won't contribute to) and they will have to lump it!!!
Right, I'm off again.....keep up the good work, hope everyone has a good day!
Rae xx

Fae

Hi GL,

Fingers crossed for ebay for you. Hope you had a good time at the cinema.

Fae

[Deleted User]

Lovely time with DS at the cinema thanks Fae, lots of laughs in the film which raised our spirits.

Thank you so much for your wise words Rae- much appreciated. Its pretty much how I feel we should be. As I said, he's not a greedy kid but I really dont want him to feel left out from his peers. However, that said, I hope we can impart some of the things we've learn't (the hard way) and maybe even be good examples of how to live a simple life and manage money (eventually!!!).

Off to read more of Frugal Queens blog.....
GLx